Drag Race winner Symone reveals show saved her from suicide

RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Symone has revealed that doing drag, and the show itself, as well as her mother, saved her from suicide.

Content warning: This article deals with themes of suicide. Reader discretion is advised.

RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Symone, who stomped her way to the crown of season 13 (with four challenge wins along the way) in 2021, has opened up about the show saving her from being ‘ready to eject’.

Speaking to trans trailblazer Ts Madison on the rotating Drag Race guest judge’s podcast Outlaws with Ts Madison, Symone candidly spoke about previous struggles with mental health.

“I’ve been able to take care of my friends and help people through this. I’ve been able to help myself through this. I learned a lot about myself and changed my perspective on myself. It made me realize that I am not worthless. I got it,” Symone told Madison.

Continuing, she added that becoming a drag queen, “changed everything” for her.

“I wasn’t a very confident kid. It gave me a reason to be,” she explained. “I don’t know where I would be without drag. I don’t know if I ever said this publicly, but I remember I came home one day, and I just had enough. I was bullied as a kid, and I just had enough. I was ready to eject.”

Symone’s mother also played a part in the ebony enchantress’s shift in attitude: “I remember her saying one time, ‘If anything happens like that, you might as well take me with you, because I can’t take it.’

“That was the only thing that saved me. Drag happened after that, Drag Race was on and I saw it for the first time and it clicked in my head, like, that’s it. That’s the reason.”

Symone dominated her season of Drag Race, instantly becoming a favourite among fans and the judging panel alike.

The ebony enchantress swiped the win for the first proper challenge of the season among the ‘Winners’ Circle’, the “Condragulations” girl group number, and then went on to dominate two acting challenges – “RuPaulmark Channel” and “Pop! Goes The Queens” – and the makeover with Utica.

Suicide is preventable. Readers who are affected by the issues raised in this story are encouraged to contact the Samaritans on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org), or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to contact the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255. 

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